NASA once again delays the return to Earth of two astronauts

Dec. 18 () –

NASA has once again delayed the return of two astronauts aboard the International Space Station, where they arrived in June for an initial mission of just one week.

Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore have been stranded for months at the orbital complex due to technical problems with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which returned to Earth without them in September to avoid risks.

NASA then expected its return in February 2025, however, the space agency has reported a delay in the launch of its replacements and The return of Williams and Wilmore has been postponed to March.

“NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission now aims to launch four crew members to the International Space Station no earlier than the end of March 2025,” the US space agency said. in a statement.

The agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission with NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will return to Earth following Crew-10’s arrival at the orbital laboratory. Known as the handover period, it allows Crew-9 share lessons learned with newly arrived crew and support a better transition for continued science and maintenance at the complex, NASA explains.

NASA and SpaceX evaluated several options to handle the upcoming crew handover, including the use of another Dragon spacecraft and manifest adjustments. After careful consideration, the team determined that the launch of Crew-10 in late March, after the completion of the new Dragon spacecraftwas the best option to meet NASA requirements and achieve the space station’s goals by 2025

The space station recently received two refueling flights in November and is well equipped with everything the crew needs, including food, water, clothing and oxygen.